Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Olusola Francis Alao, has said explained that there must be honour for the thrones that deserve it.
The monarch, reacting to the Obaship amendment bill by the Oyo State House of Assembly, which jettisoned the permanent chairmanship of the Council of Obas by the Alaafin and made it rotational among the Alaafin, Olubadan and Soun, expressed dissatisfaction.
A statement in his behalf by his media consultant, Bisi Ladele, explained that “The history of British empire is a lesson for the world. The country colonized a quarter of the entire world and ruled for 100 years. But its former colony, the United States, is today, better placed. Yet, the US and all former colonies still accord the British monarchy honour and respect.
“Our history, culture and tradition must be upheld and respected in all we do because our activities today are documented as history for future generations.”
Observing the claim of historical significance of Ogbomoso by mogajis of the town in their opposition to the bill, “Oba Alao believes that should history alone be the factor of decision-making concerning the constitution of the Council’s leadership, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon will be ahead of the Soun of Ogbomoso.
“We should not forget that the current palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso sits on the land that falls within Olugbon’s kingdom.
“Orile-Igbon bore border with Ijeru, which is also more ancient than Ogbomoso. But demography has kept Ogbomoso in a better standing than other towns and communities in the zone. This is the reality all traditional rulers in Ogbomoso zone accepted, and this accounts for why more ancient towns in the zone do not contend with the status accorded Soun in the Obas Council. We understand it as good for administrative and political convenience.
“Where is Soun’s kingdom? Where is Olubadan’s kingdom? Alaafin ran a huge kingdom with many other kingdoms under it. But we are putting the past behind us because the world is dynamic. Yet the honour must be there for the thrones that deserve it.
